Mutability studies in two Drosophila melanogaster isogenic stocks, endemic for C picornavirus and virus-free.
A virus-free Drosophila stock was obtained by outer disinfection of eggs from DCV-contaminated females. The healthy flies exhibited 3 times less lethal mutations on the X chromosome than did the diseased flies. In addition, on X and 2nd chromosomes, the mutability of the infected males was 2-3 times lower than that of the infected females. The natural viruses of Drosophila are partially responsible for the rate of mutations occurring in the wild populations of this insect.
D000818:Animals; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D010849:Picornaviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D014960:X Chromosome